Mini Covers for Kobo Mini?

[Ulysei]

I just picked up my first eReader, a Kobo Mini, from the black Friday $49 sale. Loving the experience so far! But I am concerned about damaging the device by porting it around without a cover. As I understand, there are no covers for the mini available yet? (wonder why?). Has anyone got a useful DIY solution? Or any idea when covers will be released?

And a related query: in general, how fragile is the screen and how prone is it to damage? Unfortunately, the first mini I bought had a spot of "stuck eInk" (like a dead pixel, but larger) and so I exchanged for a new one. This has me worried that the screen could easily be permanently damaged.

[psi]

I got one at the same time and I seem to have caused a little damage like this already, by dropping it onto something screen down a very short distance. It's not too bad but I wish I had known the display was so easy to damage. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you can get a cover for the device that puts it to sleep when it's closed.

[Cdesja5]

I got this Navitech cover from Amazon but in "red" not black:
http://www.amazon.com/Navitech-Black...tech+Kobo+mini

I haven't received it yet but expect it shortly. I'll post my impressions once I've seen it and used it with my Mini.

[robko]

Originally Posted by Ulysei

And a related query: in general, how fragile is the screen and how prone is it to damage?

The biggest fragility of all e-readers is the glass substrate of the e-ink. It is an extremely thin glass plate. IMHO it is most likely to be damaged by twisting of the device causing it to crack which most covers won't help you with. Having said that, the Mini is smaller so should be more resistant to twisting since the frame is smaller. Of course, dropping something directly on the screen could scratch, break the surface, or crunch through and break the substrate which is what a cover will protect against.
Biggest thing to avoid is throwing it in a purse/bag/luggage where it could twist unless you have something solid around it.

[psi]

Is there anywhere that sells replacement screens? I can live with the damage to mine but I was wondering about how much a new screen might cost.

[murg]

Originally Posted by psi

Is there anywhere that sells replacement screens? I can live with the damage to mine but I was wondering about how much a new screen might cost.

More than a new device would cost.

And you probably couldn't find one that would fit the Mini, and its mounting hardware.

[Ulysei]

Originally Posted by robko

The biggest fragility of all e-readers is the glass substrate of the e-ink. It is an extremely thin glass plate. IMHO it is most likely to be damaged by twisting of the device causing it to crack which most covers won't help you with. Having said that, the Mini is smaller so should be more resistant to twisting since the frame is smaller. Of course, dropping something directly on the screen could scratch, break the surface, or crunch through and break the substrate which is what a cover will protect against.
Biggest thing to avoid is throwing it in a purse/bag/luggage where it could twist unless you have something solid around it.

This is what I feared. I bought a kobo primarily for travel and commuting. I thought the mini would be perfect to throw into a purse/bag.

Are the standard kobo covers (leather ones that open like a book) protective enough?

[psi]

Originally Posted by murg

More than a new device would cost.

And you probably couldn't find one that would fit the Mini, and its mounting hardware.

So you're saying a replacement screen is probably not available, but if it was it would cause more than the device? Would that be because of typical high markup on replacement parts, or are e-readers actually sold at a loss to gain customers for online book sales?

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by psi

So you're saying a replacement screen is probably not available, but if it was it would cause more than the device? Would that be because of typical high markup on replacement parts, or are e-readers actually sold at a loss to gain customers for online book sales?

The manufacturers buy screens by the thousands or in a few cases by the millions so they get a good price. They sell the devices by the thousands/millions so can have a smaller profit per unit and still make money.

Replacement parts for many things cost a lot when compared to the price of a new unit especially when it is on sale. I wanted to buy a replacement for the dust bin in my (cheap) vacuum and it had to be special ordered and with shipping cost $10 more than a new vacuum.

Helen

[Cdesja5]

I received my Navitech cover tonight and am very pleased with it! For $4.99 it's a really great deal!
Found it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Navitech-Black...tech+Kobo+mini
"bycast" leather = fake but it fits great and is well made

[Ulysei]

Originally Posted by Cdesja5

I received my Navitech cover tonight and am very pleased with it! For $4.99 it's a really great deal!
Found it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Navitech-Black...tech+Kobo+mini
"bycast" leather = fake but it fits great and is well made

Thanks for the great update! The cover looks like a good fit, and decent for the $4.99 price.

[Cdesja5]

Originally Posted by Ulysei

Thanks for the great update! The cover looks like a good fit, and decent for the $4.99 price.

Looks like only the black cover is still at $4.99,the others have increased to $9.99! It is also slightly different from the Amazon picture, there is no inner flap with card holders...

[Keslynn]

I am looking more for a padded sleeve than a cover. Has anyone found anything good for a decent price?

A lot of the cases/covers/sleeves are about $20 and that's half what I paid for the Mini itself! I refuse to pay 1/2 the cost of the reader for a case.

[Cdesja5]

Originally Posted by Keslynn

I am looking more for a padded sleeve than a cover. Has anyone found anything good for a decent price?

A lot of the cases/covers/sleeves are about $20 and that's half what I paid for the Mini itself! I refuse to pay 1/2 the cost of the reader for a case.

I initially got a black neoprene zip up case that was for a gps. Fits perfectly but I don't really remember where I got it and what brand it was. Check out the gps accessories section a your local electronics store... It was probably at Future Shop or Best Buy that I got it.

[Ulysei]

I am looking more for a padded sleeve than a cover. Has anyone found anything good for a decent price?

There are neoprene camera cases that might fit. This has about the right dimensions of the kobo mini:
http://www.amazon.com/Built-E-HCS-BL...ref=pd_sim_p_5